Chapter 5 She wasn't feeling well, so he walked towards her without hesitation…
"Is it that obvious?" Yu Kui asked, a little embarrassed. "I thought I had hidden it very well."
“You can’t hide your feelings,” Tao Jiang said after a moment of silence. “Even if you don’t say it, it will show in your eyes.”
Yu Kui froze, and asked anxiously, "Won't Qin You find out?"
“How could that be?” Tao Jiang smiled, seemingly finding her cautious demeanor amusing. “He’s a boy, he wouldn’t be so sensitive, he definitely doesn’t know yet.”
"That's good." Yu Kui secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Although she liked Qin You, she didn't want to cause him any trouble before graduating from high school. She had a good plan: she would confess to him after the college entrance examination, and then they would go to the same university and be together like they were now.
Perhaps because Tao Jiang had discovered her secret, Yu Kui became closer to Tao Jiang and revealed her true feelings, saying, "Don't tell him, I don't want to confess to him yet."
“I know,” Tao Jiang said, seeing her anxious expression. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell him.”
"Thank you," Yu Kui said, her adorable dimples reappearing on her face, her eyes bright. "I will definitely choose a special time to confess my feelings in the future, so that we can be together forever."
Although her words were somewhat naive, it wasn't hard to imagine how happy it would be to live with a sunny girl like her. In just the time Tao Jiang spent as friends with Yu Kui, she experienced an unprecedented sense of being valued. No matter what she did, as long as it was something she wanted to do, Yu Kui would take it to heart. And Qin You, did he receive even more?
Tao Jiang also laughed, but there was a hint of gloom in her eyes.
Yu Kui said somewhat awkwardly, "Then... this is a secret between the two of us."
“Of course,” Tao Jiang said softly, holding her hand. “Not only will I not tell anyone, I will also help you.”
Yu Kui's mood finally lifted. When Qin You returned, the two sat side by side on the grass, their relationship as close as sisters.
Qin You stepped forward and said, "Let's call it a day."
“Okay.” Tao Jiang looked up at him. The boy was very tall and had a cool and aloof demeanor, like the evening breeze that was blowing in her face.
"What's wrong?" Qin You looked down at her, his eyes filled with both doubt and concern.
“She’s probably tired from running,” Yu Kui said, picking up Tao Jiang’s schoolbag and handing it to Qin You. “You can carry her schoolbag.”
Qin You didn't say anything, but reached out and took the white backpack, saying to Yu Kui, "Give me yours too."
“No,” Yu Kui walked to his side, “I’m not tired, I can carry it myself.”
Qin You didn't say anything, but kept his eyes on Tao Jiang out of the corner of his eye. Only after the girl texted him to tell him that she was okay did he walk toward the school gate.
In the following days, Yu Kui and Qin You accompanied Tao Jiang to practice running every day, and finally made initial progress before the sports meet.
"Tao Jiang is amazing!" Seeing her run the 1500 meters like a warrior, Yu Kui rushed over to greet her. Handing her her water bottle, she praised her enthusiastically, "You'll definitely get a good result tomorrow!"
"Hmm," Tao Jiang drank some water, a slight smile appearing on her fair face, "I'll do my best."
Qin You stood to the side without saying a word, but took the initiative to carry Tao Jiang's schoolbag.
On the day of the sports meet, the playground was bustling with activity. Yu Kui stood outside the track, her eyes fixed on the handsome boy running towards her. Qin You was participating in the 3,000-meter race. She watched as he left his competitors far behind, crossing the finish line like a triumphant hero. Yu Kui happily ran up to him and gave him the water and towel she had prepared. "Thank you for your hard work!"
Then the broadcast announced that Qin You had won first place. Yu Kui excitedly grabbed Tao Jiang's hand, wishing she could write ten articles praising Qin You so that everyone would know just how amazing he was!
Seeing that she was even happier than Qin You himself had won the award, Tao Jiang felt a little helpless. However, her gaze fell on the boy in the white tracksuit. Qin You was also looking at her, and his usually calm eyes were rippled because of her. Tao Jiang's lips curled up, and a secret pleasure rose in her heart, giving her an indescribable satisfaction.
She couldn't explain what it was, but it fascinated her.
After the sprint relay, it was time for the girls' 1500-meter event. The class monitor and Yu Kui stood on either side of Tao Jiang, constantly encouraging her not to rush, to run at a steady pace, and to push harder towards the end.
Yu Kui hugged her and whispered in her ear, "Winning an award or not is not important. Be careful when you run."
"Hmm." Tao Jiang nodded, and as she turned to walk towards the track, she suddenly stumbled for some reason.
"What's wrong!" Yu Kui rushed forward to support her. "Are you alright?"
Tao Jiang looked at Yu Kui with a pale face and a look of panic in her eyes, as if something unexpected had happened.
"What happened?" The squad leader ran over and asked with concern, "Tao Jiang, what's wrong?"
"I..." Tao Jiang didn't speak, but her eyes were unusually vulnerable, giving Yu Kui an ominous premonition.
"Are you feeling unwell?" the squad leader asked.
"I'm sorry, class monitor," Tao Jiang said softly, her eyes red and head bowed. "I think I've started my period..."
Yu Kui's eyes widened in surprise, and she immediately said, "Tao Jiang can't compete."
Upon hearing this, the class monitor paused for a second and said, "Given your condition, you really can't participate in the competition anymore. I'll tell the referee that our class is withdrawing from the competition."
"No!" A look of unwillingness flashed in Tao Jiang's eyes. She had practiced for so long, how could she give up at this crucial moment? "This concerns the honor of our class, we can't give up..."
"But given your current situation..."
"Yu Kui," Tao Jiang suddenly looked at the girl who had been supporting her, gripped Yu Kui's arm tightly, and whispered, "Can I trust you?"
Yu Kui froze, not understanding what she meant by suddenly saying this, and subconsciously said, "Of course you can trust me."
"Thank you," Tao Jiang looked at the class monitor, took a deep breath and said, "I request that Yu Kui take my place in the competition. Yu Kui was with me when I was practicing running, and she is more than capable of doing the job."
"I..." Yu Kui was completely stunned, not understanding why Tao Jiang would say that. Although she had a sprinter, she would stop to rest after a short time and had never run a full 1,500 meters.
“Yu Kui, help me,” Tao Jiang seemed to see her hesitation and said with undisguised worry, “This is not only an individual competition, but also represents the honor of the class.”
“We don’t necessarily need Yu Kui,” the class monitor said. “I’ll ask the others in the class to help.” But the whistle for the competition was about to blow, and there wasn’t enough time.
“I’ll go,” Yu Kui said, clenching her fists and stepping forward under Tao Jiang’s pleading gaze. She looked at her best friend and said calmly, “Although I’m not good at running, I shouldn’t embarrass our class. Of course, even if I come in last place, please don’t laugh at me.”
After saying that, she walked onto the track.
"Yu Kui!" The squad leader took two steps forward. "Be careful. Don't run if you can't run."
"knew."
After the whistle blew, Yu Kui quickly blended into the group, her small figure gradually disappearing into the distance.
"How are you?" the squad leader asked Tao Jiang with concern. "Do you need to go to the infirmary?"
"No need," Tao Jiang said calmly.
Do you need me to go to the store and buy you something?
Tao Jiang understood what he meant, but she still shook her head, "Someone will help me."
Seeing her standing so straight, the class monitor sensed something was off, but couldn't quite put his finger on it. He turned and called two girls over to help. When Qin You returned, he found Tao Jiang wasn't participating in the competition, but rather resting on the edge. His pupils suddenly contracted for a moment. "What's going on?"
"I'm not feeling well," Tao Jiang said calmly. "I can't run, so Yu Kui will take my place in the race."
"You!" Qin You was about to go and run with her when Tao Jiang said, "I'm on my period, can you go to the store to buy me sanitary napkins?"
Qin You paused, staring at her silently, her eyes as dark as whirlpools, making it impossible for him to turn away.
"I'm not feeling well, Qin You, didn't you hear me?" Tao Jiang was still looking at him, seemingly certain that he wouldn't abandon her. Qin You didn't speak, but walked in the exact opposite direction from the playground.
Seeing this, Tao Jiang's lips curled up. Looking at Yu Kui, who was running with a flushed face, her eyes were filled with indescribable emotions, like the hidden, scrutinizing contempt of a victor looking at a defeated person in a sorry state.
Yu Kui felt like her whole body was on fire, her legs felt like lead and her throat was stinging, but she didn't want to stop at all. As long as she thought of Tao Jiang's expectations and the honor of the class, she felt that she had to persevere no matter what.
However, her physical condition was no match for the other well-prepared classmates, and she soon became the last in the class. No matter how hard she tried to catch up, she couldn't improve her ranking. The students in the stands were hoarse from shouting, and the class monitor even wrote a speech to encourage her. But Yu Kui still couldn't run fast. She wanted to stop and rest immediately and give up this torture, but whenever she passed the track and met Tao Jiang's encouraging eyes, she could continue to persevere.
When Qin You returned from buying groceries, Yu Kui hadn't finished running around yet. Tao Jiang looked at the plastic bag he was carrying; inside were not only sanitary napkins but also milk and hand warmers. He seemed indifferent, but in reality, he was very thoughtful.
“The milk is warm,” Qin You handed it to her. “You can drink it now.”
Tao Jiang didn't move, but said, "I can't carry these things. Come with me to the restroom."
Qin You frowned, and Tao Jiang said, "I really feel terrible."
He pursed his lips and walked towards the bathroom. Tao Jiang smiled and followed him.
Before leaving, Qin You glanced back in the direction where Yu Kui was. In the vast crowd, she was so small that she looked like a black dot, and he couldn't see her face clearly at all.
Yu Kui was the last to reach the finish line. Her face was pale, and she looked like she was about to faint. The girls in her class quickly supported her and asked worriedly, "Are you alright?"
Yu Kui shook her head, her gaze searching for Qin You and Tao Jiang in the crowd, but she couldn't find them. They had abandoned her on the playground.
Even though it wasn't a big deal, Yu Kui's eyes reddened.
"Take a break over there," the class monitor said, rushing over with water. She smiled and said, "Thank you for your hard work, Yu Kui. Luckily you were here, otherwise our class would have had to give up. You're awesome!" She then put the class's support badge on Yu Kui's hand. Every student who participated in the competition had one; it was a cute little cat.
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